System and method for automated product design and approval

Abstract

The present invention is a system for automated product design and approval comprising a design creation and approval subsystem, an ordering and quotation subsystem, a purchase authorization subsystem, a work orders and production subsystem, a shipping subsystem and an invoicing subsystem. The system includes numerous features that facilitate product design and approval, such as creation of a product template by selecting a product category and subcategory from a dropdown menu, a design request form, an interactive movie for design edits, and generation of a purchase authorization when a design has been approved. The system automatically generates Supplier quote forms, Manufacturer quote forms, Company quote forms, purchase orders, work orders, packing slips and electronic invoices. The system has automated calendaring and notification features and allows product images and source art files to be uploaded. A method of using the automated system described above.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to the field of e-business. More particularly, the present invention involves an automated system that allows product designs to be created, reviewed, modified and approved online by the various individuals involved in the design process, including graphic artists, customers, product developers, suppliers, manufacturers and administrators. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] A number of automated systems have been developed for handling various aspects of e-commerce, from marketing and processing orders to managing inventory and supply chains. None of these systems, however, provides the dynamic, real-time product design features of the present invention. In today's increasingly Internet-based economy, there is a need for an automated system that allows users to create, review, modify and approve product designs online. [0005] U.S. patent application Nos. 2002 / 0099577 (Black...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The ordering and quotation subsystem comprises an order page that lists those products that have been approved. The order page includes size boxes that correlate to the category and subcategory of the product. The order page indicates whether a particular product subcategory is available in certain sizes. The order page also includes a complete purchase authorization history. An order is created by entering quantities into the size boxes and clicking the order button, and the system sends emails to one or more Company Administrator(s), a Product Developer and a Client when an order is created. A posting is also made to the home pages of the Company Administrator(s), Product Developer and Client when an order is created.

[0019] The order also appears on a Company “Requested Orders” page, from which a Company Administrator selects one or mor

Problems solved by technology

The first business entity is not responsible for creating a product, and the customer is not able to review, modify and approve the product online.

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